Does anyone out there have any info on Hamilton frames built in the bay area during the late 80's - early 90's. They have 24 inch wheels and were built for time trials. I have one and I love it. I also have found 2 additional wheelsets taken from a deceased one on Craigslist awhile back. I have thoroughly scoured the internet but have come up entirely empty handed so far.
Any leads or info would be tremendously appreciated!!
-Thog

I met the guy once on Diablo, I think he lived in Clayton. We discussed the benefits and problems with 24" wheels. He sponsored a pretty famous female triathlete. His bikes needed a special crank and pedal combination that was pretty funky... the crankarm was short (maybe for a low bottom bracket clearance), and the pedal had an extender so that it wasn't always in-line with the crankarm... too weird for most roadies but triathletes like stuff like that. Look for old race photos of Paula Newby Fraser

I think his name was Ralph, and Hamilton was his middle name. He was kind of a heavy and stubborn but interesting guy.

Thanks, DiabloScott, that's helpful information! Was he riding one when you met him?
One feature I love about the bike is it's immediate acceleration. It feels jackrabbit responsive. Mine came with a standard (for it's era) Shimano 600 crank with 172.5 crank arms. The person I bought it from knew nothing of its history though, so many modifications could have occurred along the way. I'll post a pic as soon as I'm able.
-Thog

Not a peep over at the Classic and Vintage site! I have since aquired another frame that was supposedly ridden in the Olympics! I'm guessing it will be a lifetime (remaining) project to pull this one back together...
-Doug (Thog)

Does anyone out there have any info on Hamilton frames built in the bay area during the late 80's - early 90's. They have 24 inch wheels and were built for time trials. I have one and I love it. I also have found 2 additional wheelsets taken from a deceased one on Craigslist awhile back. I have thoroughly scoured the internet but have come up entirely empty handed so far.
Any leads or info would be tremendously appreciated!!
-Thog

I have one too orange and yellow LArge 26" frame. but the bike is awesome i know they are from South Africa but thats about it

I have one too orange and yellow LArge 26" frame. but the bike is awesome i know they are from South Africa but thats about it

Awesome! Do you live in the Bay Area, by chance? There seems to be a few more left around here than anywhere else. The bikes were built in San Francisco by Ralph Hamilton Lewis, a former South African that gained citizenship and lived and retired in the Concord area of the Bay. If he is still alive he's about 82 years old now. I would sure enjoy talking to him if he is. Since I started this thread, someone emailed me an article and interview with Mr. Lewis from 1989 from Bicycle Guide Magazine. At that time the frame alone sold for $800 dollars! Any more input is still welcome by me, I'm still at a loss as to how to proceed with the yellow project. Finding all the Mavic parts is a challenge alone. According to the article, the front chainring should be a 54/63 tooth! I doubt I'll ever find that!

Hi, i found an Hamilton frame too, for 24" wheels like yours, about a year ago.
I'm also trying to gather some informations on these frames but they're really rare.
I live in France, and found it here with no info at all on the frame history or the brand, and without wheels or gear.
Mine has a Bio-technica/Mecacycle (famous french builder) stickers on it, maybe from a sponsorship?
Here are some pics:

Here are some details, it has Excell tubing, chromed lugs, and a oversize diag tube:

So i'm desperately trying to find sattui composite wheels now, or any 24" carbon/composite (disc?) wheelset, but none showed in a year. If someone got a plan for them...
Also Thogsez, if you could repost you article in higher quality, i'm really interested, thank you.